March3, 2026

October is Respect Life Month, and today is Respect Life Sunday. Each year at this time, the bishops of the United States call us to pause and reflect more deeply on the sacred gift of human life and our role in welcoming, cherishing, and protecting the lives of our brothers and sisters.

The First Reading from Isaiah describes how the vineyard owner (which can be seen as God) cared for his vineyard (which can be seen as Israel), doing everything he could to help it grow and flourish in his love: “My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines.” The people symbolized by God’s vineyard are his cherished plant. But despite this loving care, the vineyard only produces wild grapes (sin).

Like the owner who took such great care in the creation and cultivation of his vineyard, God loved each of us into existence and continues caring for us, inviting us ever deeper into his relationship. We draw closer to him when we follow his example and love one another as he loves us, even amidst difficulties or inconveniences.

But, all too often, we fail to treat one another according to the dignity with which he made us. When we don’t follow God, and instead turn away from him, we produce the wild grapes of sin.

In the face of our own suffering or that of others, we may be tempted to doubt the innate goodness of human life or even believe that some lives aren’t worth living. Abortion and assisted suicide can then emerge as false “solutions” to challenging circumstances.

As the Psalm reminded Israel of its need for salvation and repentance, we are reminded that we belong to God, and that mercy and healing is always possible. In our world today, we see countless examples of complete disregard for human life. From the child hidden in its mother’s womb, to the terminally ill patient nearing the end of life, every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves respect and protection.

The Psalm recalls God’s tender love and care: “A vine from Egypt you transplanted; you drove away the nations and planted it.” It seeks God’s protection: “Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted.” And finally, the Psalm promises a return to God: “Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. O Lord, God of hosts, restore us; if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.”

Similarly, the Lord invites us to seek forgiveness whenever we turn from him, and to receive his tender mercy. He wants to give us new life, no matter how we have failed. No sin is beyond God’s mercy.

Despite the many ways our society threatens and destroys the gift of human life, God reminds us: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Prayer is essential in all our efforts to build a culture of life in our world.

As God’s people, we are called to seek what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious; so that we can be the choicest vines, producing an abundant harvest. One of the ways we do this is by loving one another as Christ loves us, especially by caring for those whose lives are most in need of protection.

During this Respect Life Month, ask Jesus how he is specifically calling you to follow in his footsteps. How is he calling you to care for the lives of your neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable?

As the Second Reading encourages us: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” Let us ask the Lord for an outpouring of grace, especially the graces of wisdom, humility, and courage, as well as open and generous hearts, that we may respond to his call to serve the gift of human life.

Today’s Gospel demonstrates God’s faithfulness. God sent his own Son for the sake of our redemption. Jesus gave his own life in order for us to be able to be with him forever. How else can we respond, except with love for the one who has loved us so much and for his creation? Let us be encouraged to labor in the vineyard, trusting that the Lord will bring forth good fruit through our faithfulness.

In our efforts to follow the Lord and bear good fruit, there may be times when it is difficult. It may feel like the vineyard of our heart has been neglected, trampled, and laid to waste. But we can find strength and comfort in knowing the Lord has not abandoned us. The keeper of the vineyard has not forgotten his cherished plant.

Let us recall the words of today’s Gospel acclamation: “I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain.” We must persevere and work to protect the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves or who feel as if their lives are not worth living. We are called to be set apart for the work of the Kingdom of God, proclaiming in word and deed the sanctity of every human life, from conception to natural death.

Today we have an opportunity to take action and stand up for life. To join others in solidarity and pray quietly for the protection of life, from conception to natural death. The annual pro-life prayer chain will take place along 501, in front of Belks, in Conway from 2-3pm this afternoon. Fellow parishioners will stand with pro-life signs and pray quietly for the hour, to hopefully change people’s minds that we should not put an end to any life that was created by God. If you can’t be at the pro-life prayer chain, perhaps you can set aside an hour sometime this afternoon to pray quietly for the end of this culture of death, that has become so prevalent in our society.

A few years ago, I witnessed something extraordinary at a pro-life prayer chain that I attended. A car passed by a group of about twenty of us that had our signs displayed and we were all praying quietly. All of a sudden, the car turned around and pulled to a stop in front of us. Right away I thought, oh boy – here comes trouble. The person that got out of the car was pregnant and was planning on aborting her baby. She was getting no emotional or spiritual support from the father of the child and her family was wanting her to terminate the pregnancy. Her one question was – “where does it say in the Bible, that abortion is wrong?” The response she was given was the commandment where it says “though shall not kill.” After some more dialogue and some of the women gathering around her in prayer and offering her guidance, she announced – I’m keeping my baby. Amen and alleluia – what some of us thought was going to be a bad situation turned out to be a loving “God” moment. I don’t know what became of this woman and her baby, but to this day I feel that the group of people at the pro-life prayer chain saved that baby’s life and course corrected the mother’s life.

If we want to see change in the world, we can’t sit back and expect change to happen. Jesus and his early disciples stood up to the status quo and took action. They were mistreated, persecuted, and even put to death. But the end result was the Christian movement, the creation of the Catholic Church, the Sacraments and traditions of the church, and the many institutions over the past two centuries that have helped educate the faithful flock and care for the sick and elderly.

Each of us can make a difference in this world, that sometimes seems to be losing touch with a loving God and a deep personal relationship with their creator. I often say that if each of us touches just one person and impact their life for the better, then we have done what we are called to do as Christians. To be a light to someone surrounded by darkness. To bring hope to someone in despair. To reach out to those living on the fringes of society. To be a friend to the homeless. To love someone that has no one to love them.

On this Respect Life Sunday, each of us are called to do our little part to make a difference in this world. Remember the last line of the Gospel message from Jesus – where he tells us “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Let us each go forth today and be the light that shines brightly, bringing the love of Jesus to those we meet, and taking action to make this world a better place today and for generations to come. May God Bless each of you today and always.